Thunder rumbled, and lightning shed across the vast night sky. It felt as if the heavens themselves were about to crack open. "Has this day finally arrived?"


    Jameson stood with his back to Carl, hands sped behind him, projecting an image of strength and resolve. His posture did not hint at defeat, despair, or emptiness. Yet, a profound loneliness emanated from him, tugging at the heartstrings.


    He had been a high achiever, a man of sess and ambition. He had thrived like a firework that rocketed into the sky, exploding in a ze of color that illuminated Sna City''s night. He had been magnificent passionate, and impossible to ignore.


    But in the end, all he was left with was a wastnd of ash.


    "Once, I craved everything. I yearned to return to Sna City and make the Schmidts pay for what they''d done. I wanted to reim everything that was rightfully mine, and I dreamed of aiding Mr. Justin in seizing control of Sna City.


    "But ultimately, I realized that none of it held any meaning. From the very beginning, all I ever desired was to be with Lyse."


    Carl squeezed his eyes shut, a wave of sorrow washing over him. He longed to offer words offort, but nothing felt adequate in that moment.


    "If I could rewrite the past, I''d dly trade everything I have just to hear Lyse call me ''Jimmy'' once more."


    Jameson closed his eyes slowly, conjuring an image of his beloved. Her clear, bright eyes sparkled as she stood amidst a sea of roses, beckoning him with joyful abandon.


    "Jimmy,e over here and y!"


    "Don''t be afraid, Jimmy. I''m here."


    "Jimmy, it''s alright even if everyone ignores you. You have me as your friend, and that''s enough. We''ll be friends forever. Pinky promise!"


    "Pinky... promise."


    Jameson''s left hand tightened around the railing, and his right hand reached up to rub his stinging eyes. His tall, imposing figure slumped forward bit by bit, defeated. "I never changed, Lyse. But you... you''ve changed."


    Carl shuffled forward hesitantly, unsure of how close to tread. He had never witnessed such vulnerability in Jameson.


    However, hecked the courage to reveal that even if given another chance, Alyssa would undoubtedly choose Jasper. It wasn''t simply fate''s cruel hand; love was an uncontroble, enigmatic force.


    More importantly, Alyssa and Jasper were perfectly attuned. They shared amon vision, aspired toward the same goals, andplemented each other beautifully.


    Their souls intertwined like two perfectly matched puzzle pieces. They were destined to be together. No matter how extraordinary anyone else might be, they wouldn''t be a suitable match.


    "Given the current circumstances, Mr. Schmidt, it would be best for you to leave Sna City tonight. Return to Kontina to avoid suspicion."


    Carl''s eyes betrayed a flicker of


    intense anxiety. "The police will soonText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    be investigating The Millennium. Even though it isn''t officially under your name, the connection is undeniable. We can''t afford their scrutiny. You must leave


    immediately!"


    "For two years, The Millennium catered to the city''s elite. Countless Sna City officials have made


    deals here, exchanging money fore pleasure. Wealthy scions have squandered their fortunes on drugs, prostitutes, and gambling. We''ve ensured their


    swiths, orig


    transgressions-abuse, Violence,


    even murder-went unpunished.


    "An investigation into The Millennium would be tantamount to shaking the foundations of Sna City''s bureaucracy. They wouldn''t dare conduct a thorough investigation. The most they''d do is shut us down and revoke our license."


    Jameson rubbed his face hard. His


    voice, hoarse and deep, rasped,


    "Don''t fret. Even if they turn their


    vel


    sights on you, you possess meticulous records of those officials'' expenditures. Every transaction has been meticulously documented in the ounts, and they will be your safeguard. You''ve been by my side for a long time. I won''t let you be implicated."


    "It''s not my safety I fear, but yours!" It was true that he had meticulously documented everything for his own protection. But at that moment, his concern for Jameson was genuine. Human nature, after all, was aplex tapestry.